Claire and Martin O'Sullivan told The Corkman they are living a nightmare, but they are determined to fight on to keep their home.

And they are not alone – campaigners from all over Cork and Kerry have joined neighbours and friends to support the couple with the message: 'we will not let this happen'.

By 11am – the due time on the eviction notice – up to 60 people stood outside the O'Sullivan family home, with the bulk comprised of supporters of Mallow Against Austerity and Anti Eviction Ireland as well as Ballyvolane South Parish Anti Austerity Group. There were also neighbours who lent their support.

Any car that entered the estate prompted those gathered to hurry behind a tape which had been put around the family home.

During the morning Gardai entered the estate and drove past the protest and left and came back again at various intervals. However, there was no sign of the sheriff.

"This is like peeling back pages of a history book and waiting for a sheriff on a horse to arrive to throw a family out of the cottage. I actually feel sick looking at this and waiting for this family to be evicted," said one local lady.

"The Sheriff can turn up at anytime and there may not be anybody here to support the family then, and just what will they do then."